The start of the new season for the Zbojnícka cave in Borinka, located in the Small Carpathians, has been marked by an unexpected closure and a growing dispute between cave administrators and local experts.
The cave, a popular destination for both tourists and speleologists, was suddenly shut down shortly after the appointment of the new director of the Administration of Slovak Caves, Branislav Šmída.
Sudden Physical Closure
While the cave is officially open to the public by a decision of the district office, visitors recently found the entrance physically blocked. According to local speleologists, the new director locked the entrance with his own lock.
Members of the SPELEO Bratislava club, who have long cared for the site, reported that they do not have keys to the new lock, leaving them and the public unable to enter.
Conflicting Explanations
The reasons for the closure have been a point of contention. Petronela Ševčíková, a speleologist with SPELEO Bratislava, stated that they were initially informed the cave was closed because a protected species of invertebrate had been found.
However, Ševčíková noted that when asked repeatedly about the specific species, officials replied that they did not know.
Director Branislav Šmída has provided a different official reason, stating that the Administration of Slovak Caves closed the site due to ongoing professional research focusing on biospeleology and speleogenesis.
Lack of Official Communication
Local experts have expressed frustration over the lack of formal procedure. Peter Ševčík, chairman of the SPELEO Bratislava club, stated that they have yet to receive any written statement regarding the closure.
“We did not receive the information on paper or in any other official form. We received it by telephone,” Ševčíková added.
Controversy Surrounding Leadership
The decision has intensified scrutiny of Branislav Šmída, who is described by some speleologists as a controversial figure. He was previously expelled from the Slovak Speleological Society and has reportedly been in long-term conflict with several clubs.
Uncertain Future for Public Access
The closure has disrupted planned educational events and public excursions. Experts are currently unsure if these scheduled activities can proceed.
The future of public access to the Zbojnícka cave may be reconsidered. Director Šmída indicated that after the research is completed and results are evaluated, the administration will decide if it was appropriate to include the site in the list of accessible caves.
As of now, the director has not responded to further questions regarding the specific nature of the research or why an immediate closure was necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Zbojnícka cave suddenly closed?
The director of the Administration of Slovak Caves, Branislav Šmída, stated the closure is due to professional research in biospeleology and speleogenesis.
Is the cave normally closed during the year?
Yes, the cave is typically closed from November until the end of April to protect hibernating bats.
How were the local speleologists notified of the closure?
According to members of SPELEO Bratislava, they were notified via telephone and have not received any official written documentation.
Do you believe scientific research should automatically override established public access to natural landmarks?
